SEPTEMBER 2021 Volume 9- 21 Issue 124 Official Publication of the New Jersey State Council Knights of Columbus Greetings, Brothers. From the reports I've received and the events I attended, we had a busy month of August here in New Jersey. Year to date (July & August) we've brought in over 125 new members, most of which have become members of a local council. While this is great and I hope it continues, I must remind you that the post-Exemplification form #450 needs to be completed and sent to the Supreme Office AS SOON AS THE EXEMPLIFICATION HAS BEEN HELD. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CREDIT FOR IT UNTIL THE FORM IS RECEIVED. The dioceses of Camden and Trenton seem to be seeing the greatest amount of growth, Metuchen, Newark and Paterson need to step it up like I know they can. As the kids get back to school and our vacations become memories we need to roll up our sleeves and get into it, let it begin with me! As I reported last month, the Supreme Council Asset Advisors group has launched the Knights of Columbus Mutual Funds. Licensed field agents are now able to offer mutual funds to our members with the knowledge that their investments will uphold Catholic teaching without exception. I encourage you to reach out to your General Agent to secure information from him on the offerings being made so you can share it with your members. It's never too early to start planning for your financial future, now with an even clearer conscience. As I also reported last month, the Supreme Council will launch a new series of programs entitled “Saint Joseph: Our Spiritual Father”. The series will air on October 10 and run for 6 consecutive weeks on ABC affiliates across the United States. Check your television schedule as we get closer for dates and times. For now, you can preview the series by following this link: https://www.kofc.org/en/news-room/st-joseph/index.html Don't forget that our annual state retreat is being held this year the weekend of October 22 – 24 at the San Alfonso Retreat House in Long Branch. The fee for attending is $260.00 and, remember, the State Council will rebate each retreatant $100.00. Please contact District Deputy and Retreat Chairman Colin Casey for details. As we enter into the fall season and summer winds down, please begin your plans for the upcoming programs that will soon be taking place. Specifically, the Youth Soccer Challenge, the Catholic Citizen Essay contest and the Keep Christ in Christmas poster contest. You will find information on the Soccer and Essay programs elsewhere in this month's newsletter. I hope that you had an enjoyable summer although this Pandemic is continuing to cause uncertainty in our daily lives. Please, be careful and use common sense in all that you do socially. We've come too far from where we were and I can't afford to lose any of you. We have much work to be done and I'm counting on each of you. Please remember our brothers in need of our prayers as we continue in the Spirit of Blessed Michael McGivney. Let’s get going, Vivat Jesus, James E. Stoever, State Deputy James E. Stoever State Deputy INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 1 - State Deputy’s message 2 - Membership Corner 2 - Upcoming Degrees 3 - Upcoming Events 4 - State Retreat 4 - Consecration to the Holy Family 5 - General Programs 5 - Online Membership 6 - Community Programs 6 - Faith Programs 7 – Patriotic Colors 7 - Soccer Challenge 8 – Insurance Matters 8 - Catholic Citizenship Essay contest 9 – Food for Families 9 ~ From the Editor’s Desk 10 - Milestones
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SEPTEMBER 2021 Volume 9- 21 Issue 124
Official Publication of the New Jersey State Council Knights of Columbus
Greetings, Brothers.
From the reports I've received and the events I attended, we had a busy month of
August here in New Jersey. Year to date (July & August) we've brought in over 125
new members, most of which have become members of a local council. While this is
great and I hope it continues, I must remind you that the post-Exemplification form
#450 needs to be completed and sent to the Supreme Office AS SOON AS THE
EXEMPLIFICATION HAS BEEN HELD. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CREDIT FOR
IT UNTIL THE FORM IS RECEIVED. The dioceses of Camden and Trenton seem to
be seeing the greatest amount of growth, Metuchen, Newark and Paterson need to
step it up like I know they can. As the kids get back to school and our vacations
become memories we need to roll up our sleeves and get into it, let it begin with me!
As I reported last month, the Supreme Council Asset Advisors group has
launched the Knights of Columbus Mutual Funds. Licensed field agents are now able
to offer mutual funds to our members with the knowledge that their investments will
uphold Catholic teaching without exception. I encourage you to reach out to your
General Agent to secure information from him on the offerings being made so you
can share it with your members. It's never too early to start planning for your financial
future, now with an even clearer conscience.
As I also reported last month, the Supreme Council will launch a new series of
programs entitled “Saint Joseph: Our Spiritual Father”. The series will air on October
10 and run for 6 consecutive weeks on ABC affiliates across the United States.
Check your television schedule as we get closer for dates and times. For now, you
September 2021 Sept 6 ~ Labor Day – Fly your Flag Sept 8 ~ Blessed Mother’s Birthday Sept 9 – Metuchen Pride in our Priests Dinner Sept 11 ~ Patriot’s Day – Fly your Flag Sept 14 ~ Birthday of Daniel Rossi, Ph. D., PSD Sept 18 ~ Air Force Birthday – Fly your Flag Sept 20 – POW/MIA Recognition Day- Fly your Flag Sept 27 – Birthday of Raymond Sands, ST
October 2021 Oct 3 - Rosary Rally – Mt Laurel Oct 6 ~ Birthday of Andrew Lipenta, VSM, PSD, FM Oct 10 – Rosary Rally – Clifton Oct 11 – Columbus Day Oct 13 – U.S. Navy Birthday – Fly Your Flag Oct 16 – Birthday of W. James White, FSD, PSD Oct 19 – Newark Pride in our Priests Dinner Oct 22, 23, 24 - State Council Retreat Oct 30 – 170th Anniversary of Newark Diocese founding Oct 31 – Halloween
November 2021 Nov 1 – All Saints Day Nov 2 – All Souls Day Nov 2 – Birthday of Russell Petrocelli, State Advocate Nov 7 – Birthday of Bishop Kurt Burnett Nov 14 –Exemplification of the Patriotic Degree – 2nd District Nov 21 – Exemplification of the Patriotic Degree – 1st NJ District
Nov 25 – Thanksgiving Day Nov 28 – First Sunday of Advent
The State Council sponsors a retreat each year in October at the San Alfonso Retreat House in West Long Branch, New Jersey. It is “A Center for Christian Renewal”, conducted by the Redemptorist Fathers and Brothers. The motto for the retreat house is “Where God and Sea Come Together.” San Alfonso has been the official retreat house for the New Jersey State Council since the 1920s!!!
The date for this year’s State Knights of Columbus
Retreat is October 22 - 24, 2021
The theme for this year’s Retreat is
Sisters and Brothers, All One in God’s Family This Retreat invites us to consider our Christian Call to
embrace our oneness as God’s people in the Spirit of Jesus
who prayed that ‘’all may be one!” Our dignity and identity
as God’s beloved one summons us to be people who see
and love one another as sisters and brothers.
As Brother Knights we should take time to Recharge &
Reenergize ourselves as we reconnect with our Spirituality.
We live in times when our Church needs the Knights
now more than ever. . . “LET IT BEGIN WITH ME”
Send a Fifty Dollar ($50.00) NON REFUNDABLE
DEPOSIT for each person with the registration form to the
State Chairman. Forms are available on the State
website. Make checks payable to San Alfonso Retreat
House. Arrival Time: Friday 4:00pm. Supper is served from
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. Departure Time: Sunday 1:00pm after
Lunch. Donation: $260.00 per person total (less $50.00
deposit = $210 per person payable to: San Alfonso Retreat
House) The State Council will give each Brother attending a
$100 rebate. Date of Retreat: October 22 thru 24, 2021
The State Retreat is not meant to infringe upon or disrupt
any local council’s scheduled retreat; indeed, you are
encouraged to have your own retreat! Please send an e-
mail or a post card with the # of knights attending your
retreat and the place and date to the State Chairman.
The State Retreat is held for those members who cannot
attend their own council’s retreat, or who may wish to attend
more than one or any other reason. Retreats for your own
council should be arranged early so that reservations can be
made without disappointment. Appoint a retreat captain for
your group to coordinate this activity. Due to difficult financial
times, bills at the Retreat House have increased
dramatically. They depend, more than ever, on contributions
from our retreatants, Councils, Assemblies, Chapters, and
Federations. Please seriously consider donating or donate
more than the stated stipend.
For further information, contact the State Chairman
Colin Casey, DD23
The idea of this program is to invite each family in
your parish to consecrate themselves to the Holy
Family. This revitalizes our parishes by urging our
parish families to devote themselves to the ideal model
of familial love set by Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
To help families live out the joy of Christ, Supreme
Chaplain Archbishop William Lori has composed a
prayer through which families will come together to
consecrate themselves under the protection of the Holy
Family. In this prayer, we ask for the aid or intercession
of the perfect son Jesus Christ, Mary the perfect
mother, and Joseph who is a model for every father.
Councils will guide their parishes and community to
understand and offer this important and impactful
prayer, which also gains a plenary indulgence for all
who participate. Preparing for the Consecration to the
Holy Family is not a single event. It is choosing a way of
life for your family. Through this consecration, each
participant is consciously choosing to be a beacon of
God’s love through His Church.
Work with the Pastor, obtain his permission to
arrange a date for the conducting the program, which is
usually around the Feast of the Holy Family (Dec 27 this
year). Announce the date at your Parish and also via
local news outlets and on social media. Order a good
quantity of the Consecration to the Holy Family Prayer
Cards from Supreme. Give the prayer cards out at your
Church the week before the consecration weekend and
leave a supply in your Church vestibule. The
Consecration to the Holy Family will take place at each
Mass, but shouldn’t stop there.
After the Masses, consider hosting an event in the
Parish Hall. Remind everyone that although the
Consecration has taken place during Mass, devotion to
the Holy family should continue and we should always
strive to resemble their ideal model of a loving family.
Ask your members to wear their KofC shirts and
pocket badges, promoting your Council in a good image
for prospective members. Photograph the event and
post the pictures to your Council website, send the in to
the state website and local news outlets and social
Brothers, The Semiannual Council Audit (#1295) was due on August 15. If you need help, the Supreme website has training videos on how to fill them out here: http://www.kofc.org/en/videos/fraternal-training-library.html. Supreme conducted a webinar entitled FAITH IN ACTION & YOUR COUNCIL on August 26. All councils are called to be Faith in Action councils, that is councils who through their programs and events seek to provide for those in need and evangelize the Gospel. In the webinar, the Faith in Action program model and available program resources were reviewed, as well as discuss ways for your council to be visible and known as a Faith in Action council. If you were unable to attend the live broadcast, you can view it again here: http://www.kofc.org/en/for-members/our-webinars.html. The Coats for Kids programs is a staple Knights of Columbus Program. As a reminder, when ordering coats this year, full payment is required upon “check out” with a credit or debit card. For this reason, we are strongly encouraging Councils to begin their fundraising initiatives for this Fall and Winter’s distribution. For more information about pricing, coat styles or to purchase coats, please visit Knightsgear.com. For more information on the charging policy, council officers should refer to the Officer’s Desk Reference on Officers Online. Programs to begin planning now!
Faith: Holy Hour and Pilgrim Icon. Be sure to assign an Icon Chairman.
Family: Family of the Month, Family Prayer Night, and Food for Families.
Community: Disaster Preparedness, Global Wheelchair Mission, and Catholic Citizenship Essay..
Life: Mass for People with Special Needs and Novena for Life.
Also be sure to log into the NJ State Council website at www.njkofc.org in order to view the online Directory, and updated GK Handbook, and links to all State and Supreme Program information and accompanying forms/reports. Vivat Jesus! Ed Michalak, FDD General Program Director
My Brother Knights, Columbian year 2020-2021 has shown to be a tremendous year! The statistics for Online Membership (OLM) are unbelievable as well as exciting. To repeat the statement I always say, “Recruiting through Online Membership is the easiest way to bring in new members.” I continue to believe that. We’ve accomplished much. Our Online Intake Goal from Supreme for 2020/2021 was 584: 1) We took in over 750. This represents over 120% of our goal. 2) We rank 37th nationwide in attaining our goal. 3) Of the 750, we converted over 340 to local councils. 4) We converted almost half to local councils: 45%. 5) On the national stage, we are at 44% for the conversion rate. The OLM Team is committed to helping all Councils get to their desired goals. Last year we initiated an effort that helped many councils understand and use OLM as their primary recruiting tool. This year we are, again, committed to doing the same in greater detail, with emphasis on educating GK’s and FS’s primarily, but including all members. Therefore, it is our intention to get our DD’s more involved once again with OLM in helping our local councils achieve their goals. It is also very important to make certain our GA’s and FA’s are involved. Remember, no council can get Star Council without insurance members. Ultimately, as a team, we’ll help your council achieve the Awards it deserves. • Assign/Unassign • State Deputy • State Membership Director • State Online Membership Chairman • Approve/Reject • Grand Knight • Financial Secretary • Read Only • District Deputy Online Prospect Tab • Assign/Unassign • State Deputy • State Membership Director • State Online Membership Chairman • Approve/Reject • Grand Knight • Financial Secretary • Read Only • District Deputy Supreme is VERY serious about OLM – so serious that they’ve set up OLM teams based on Jurisdictions to share ideas and accomplishments. On a recent OLM call with Supreme, New Jersey was mentioned three times, applauded for our efforts and others were encouraged to follow our early processes. I can speak for an entire day about OLM. In fact, I believe the key to successful recruitment has always been EXCITEMENT and ENTHUSIASM. I sincerely believe OLM IS the excitement that’s going to continue to make a HUGE difference in our recruiting. Brothers, we’re all on the same team! Communication is a two-way street! If you’re looking for some of that enthusiasm, call me anytime. One final note! Contact me or any member of our OLM team with ANY questions. We’ll get you the answer to assure your success. Set your goals and go for it! Our team by diocese: Chuck Hollis – Newark Archdiocese, Bill Horton – Trenton, John Sarin - Camden. Mike Vaclavicek – Paterson, and Ed Schilke - Metuchen. Ken Genco, FDD, NJ OnLine Membership Director
Worthy Brother Knights, It is hard to believe that we are approaching the end of summer. I hope you had time with family, and time to relax and recharge for our 2021-2022 Columbian year. Make sure that on Service Program Personnel Report (#365) that you have appointed your Council Community Program Director and that he has satisfied the Safe Environment requirements. Time is now to get your community programs in motion. I have provided our Community Programs listing below and use the Grand Knight Reference Guide for details and chairman contact. .
Amber Alert & Child ID Kits Bowling Tournament
Catholic Citizen of the Year Award Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest
Coats for Kids Council Website Contest Disaster Preparedness
Free Throw Championship Global Wheelchair Mission
Habitat for Humanity Helping Hands
Hockey Challenge Homeless Shelter Support Leave No Neighbor Behind
Motorcycle Ministry One Nation Under God & Fly the Flag
Photography Contest Scouting Award Programs
Substance Abuse Awareness Send a Hero Home for the Holidays
Senior Citizen of the Year Award Shield & Emergency Care Awards
Shoulder to Shoulder Program Soccer Challenge
Spelling Bee Veterans Assistance Program
Make it a MUST that when you complete a program to report your results to the program State Chairman and file Fraternal Programs Report (#10784) online. It is so important for us to know what you are doing. As always remember, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to myself or any of the program chairmen. I look forward to working with you and to have a GREAT year. We are here for you and together we will continue to build our Order’s legacy. Fraternally, Vito A. Pulito NJ State Community Director
NJ State Community Director
Brother Knights, I would encourage everyone to Pray the Rosary and ask Our Lady for her intercession in helping to end this Covid-19 pandemic. With October approaching, there are two Rosary Rallies. The first on is on Sunday October 3
rd at the Rosary Garden at St. John Neumann
Parish in Mount Laurel New Jersey. The second is on Sunday October 10
th at the Holy Face Monastery in
Clifton, New Jersey. Please come out to either Rosary Rally or both to pray with your brother knights and their families. Additionally, in October is the NJ State Council Knights of Columbus Retreat at the St. Alfonso Retreat House in Long Branch, New Jersey, the weekend of October 22,23 & 24, 2021. The cost this year is $260.00. The State Council will kick in $100.00 per brother who attends the Retreat, so your out of pocket expense will be only $160.00 for the weekend. The Theme for the weekend will be “Sister’s & Brothers All One in God’s Family” The State Chairman for the 2021 Retreat is Colin Casey DD. He can be contacted via email at [email protected] about specific information or to make reservations. Pope Francis has declared 2021 is the Year of St. Joseph. Pilgrim Icon Program information has now been sent out by Supreme. This is for the Year of St. Joseph. Be sure to read the statement. George Tower is the State Chairman for this program. He will make sure the Icon’s get to the Diocesan Coordinators. We will have our Diocesan Coordinators set up a schedule for distribution to the Districts Deputies in each Diocese, then the District Deputies will advise their Councils when the Icon will be available in their districts. I strongly urge all the Grand Knights to contact their Pastors about the Icon to see if it possible to set up a Prayer Service in the Parish Church. This is not just for brother Knights but for their families and the members of each Parish. There are many Faith Programs listed in Section 5 of the Grand Knight’s Reference Guide including, but not limited to, the Sacramental Gifts Program. Gifts can be ordered online through Knights Gear, or through our Keep Christ Before us Program. Gifts can be given to families at any Sacrament. The Keep Christ Before Us Program is designed to help our youth have an increased awareness and knowledge of their Faith. This program has the forms for ordering Christmas & Easter Coloring books, 1
st
Communion gift sets & Confirmation Books for our Youth. If you have any questions, please contact the Chairman of the program you are inquiring about. They are listed in the GK Reference Guide or the State Directory May God Bless all of Us. Mark Spychalski FDD, Faith Programs Director.
your assembly. Thanks to all the retiring officers
“A job well done”. Please continue to stay
involved in your assembly.
The First and Second New Jersey Districts
will each be holding a November person to
person Exemplification. The First District is on
November 21st, 2021 and the Second District on
November 14th, 2021. More information can be
found on our websites.
We want to thank our Worthy Vice Supreme
Master SK Andy Lipenta for leading St. Isaac
Jogues Province for the past 4 years and
welcome to our new Vice Supreme Master to our
First and Second New Jersey Districts.
Every day is the time to recruit “New” Sir
Knights to join our Patriotic Degree. This
November, give them the honor to be Knighted
at our Exemplifications.
On behalf of the Vice Supreme Master, the
First and Second New Jersey Masters, welcome
back from the summer and hope that each and
every Third Degree knight will join the Patriotic
Degree.
Vivat Jesus
Paul Pinkman
Master, First New Jersey District
P.S. Please keep in your prayers the family of
our Associate District Friar, Rev. Jody Baran,
who has been taken to be with the Lord. You
will be missed.
Worthy Brothers,
Our Soccer Challenge will be here before you
know it. I hope you are all making plans to hold your
Council competition. Get started by ordering the
Soccer Challenge kit (SC – KIT)
Let me introduce our Soccer Challenge 2021
team. A huge THANK YOU Worthy Brothers for
taking the lead! Please feel free to reach out to any
of us with any questions you may have.
Community Program Director – Vito Pulito State Soccer Chairman – Javier Vasquez Regional Coordinators: Camden – Tom Perrotti Metuchen – Daniel Murphy Newark – Joseph O’Boyle Paterson – John McBride Trenton – Brian Barrett We have aggressive program timing and it is very critical that we meet these target dates. Council - Target no later than end of September District – Early October - TBD by District Deputy Regional - Target no later than end of October – TBD by Regional Coordinator State Final - Saturday, November 6th, details forth coming The key to a successful program is to
COORDINATION & COMMUNICATION. Our team is
fully engaged with the program and timeline. Be sure
to contact your District Deputy with your soccer
challenge details and also contact your regional
coordinator listed with the same info. This will ensure
transparency of the activities. This clearly signals
that we are all on the same page and will have a
smooth Soccer Challenge. This year our goal is to
have participants from all regions and winners in all
age groups in the finals. The team and I look forward
to an OUTSTANDING 2021 Soccer Change and
most important let’s make sure our little soccer stars
Brothers, With September comes the Back to School sales and, for some of us, thoughts of the Holidays begin to form around the end of the month. “What are we going to do for Thanksgiving and Christmas? Whose house are we going to this year? Or is it my turn to host??” While most of us made it through the past year ok, some didn’t have a good year. When some folks think about it, their thoughts are more along the line of “What am I going to do for dinner, we don’t have much this year!” Many people are out of work due to health concerns, some due to cutbacks of the workforce where they were employed. Some are senior citizens whose family members do not live in the area and they spend the holidays alone and just don’t feel the holiday spirit because they don’t want to cook a big dinner for themselves These are the people we need to think about and, if we can, assist them to have a Happy Holiday. Many Councils in the State put together Holiday Food Baskets to deliver to families, some cook hot meals and deliver them to people that need them. Some help out at food banks. Some people invite people to join them at their homes, someone that would otherwise be alone on a holiday. Think of the joy you could bring to a family that just doesn’t have it this year, or a senior that doesn’t have any family members in their area simply by delivering them a hot meal or food baskets or inviting them to join your family for the day. Here are some suggestions to think about:
Identify a program chairman to oversee this program and the volunteers;
Come up with a plan of action and execute it;
Collect food, clothing or money to donate to a local food bank;
Collect funds and food for food baskets for those that need them;
Prepare and deliver hot meals to those that need them.
Contact low income alliances and school systems for lists of those that would benefit from your generosity.
For more information, contact the State Chairman John Flynn, DD
My fellow Knights,
Each year at this time, we are brought back to reality.
Summer is over, vacations are mostly finished, if you
were able to go anywhere. We now face “Back to
School” advertisements, and in most cases 10 months
until our next vacation (8 months to State Convention).
This year however, depending on the virus situation,
we may not have a ”normal” fall. But that doesn’t mean
we can’t do some of the things we have done in the
past. The weather will start cooling off a bit and traffic in
shore areas should get back to what passes for
“normal”. Try to enjoy the next few weeks with your
friends and family, you only have a few weeks left for
the 3 “B’s”, barbecues, beaches and backyards.
This falls right in line with Supreme’s “No Neighbor
Left Behind” program. While many are still practicing
social distancing, there is nothing saying you can’t host
a small gathering in your backyard with family, friends
and neighbors. They have been enduring the same
issues you have, and might like to spend some time
outdoors with someone they don’t live with.
Spend some time with a senior citizen, a veteran or a
retired Priest. Do what you can to make their lives a little
more enjoyable. Take them to lunch, or for a walk in the
park or on the boardwalk, or just sit on the porch and
talk with them. You will get something out of it also, the
satisfaction of knowing that you made a difference in
their lives. These people have lived through American
History that you and I haven’t, and their stories can be
inspiring. Their memories can hold a message that
makes you think .
The information for the 2021-2022 NJ State Directory
is being compiled, I would like to be able to say it is
complete and online already, but I cannot say that.
Some information has yet to be sent in. I would like to
thank the District Deputies for their help, some of whom
helped by collecting the information from Councils not in
their Districts, as well as the Councils they oversee. I
also thank the FDD’s that helped again this year, I
couldn’t do this without your help.
As happens every year, some of you will open it to
check your information and will find an error. It happens!
Usually, there is about 10% of the email addresses that
are incorrect in the book. Sometimes this is because the
information sent in was misspelled or changed shortly
after sending it in. Sometimes it was my fingers that
made the error. Simply ask the person that filed the
original form to file an update and the correction will be
State Deputy James E. Stoever, along with the entire NJ State Council and the Newsletter Staff, would like to take this opportunity to wish ALL councils best wishes on their Charter Anniversary. May your council continue to grow and do good deeds for many more years to come! Let’s continue to grow
our Order, expand our programs and continue to “Let it Begin With Me!!”
Council Council Namef Council City Charter Date Years
11213 St. Maria De La Asuncion Elizabeth 09 01 1993 28
5611 Msgr. Thomas U. Reilly Spring Lake 09 08 1964 57